Bahrain Extends Prequalification for International Sports City Stadium

Bahrain has extended the prequalification period for contractors seeking to participate in the first phase of the planned Bahrain International Sports City at Sakhir, providing additional time for international stadium specialists to form qualified consortiums.

The Ministry of Works is prequalifying contractors for Phase 1A, which covers construction of a sports stadium and associated works. The revised closing date is 13 September 2026, according to the Bahrain Tender Board.

The procurement structure explicitly provides for international participation. Saudi Class A building contractors can form joint ventures with foreign international contractors experienced in major stadium construction, while Bahrain Category AA contractors may similarly partner with international stadium specialists.

A third permitted structure combines Saudi and Bahraini contractors with a foreign international stadium contractor, making the prequalification particularly relevant to global companies with specialist sports-infrastructure experience.

The Sports City development is planned for Sakhir and forms part of Bahrain’s wider $30 billion Strategic Projects Plan, which encompasses transport, tourism, housing and major public infrastructure investment.

The current process is a prequalification rather than the main construction tender. Successful teams will subsequently be invited to compete for the stadium works.

For international contractors, the current stage provides an important entry point because the Tender Board’s qualification rules specifically envisage foreign participation through joint ventures with qualified Bahraini or Saudi contractors.

Sources: Bahrain Tender Board, MEED.